The Hart County Charter System is proud to announce it has been recognized for its achievement and status as a Georgia School Boards Association’s (GSBA) 2019 Exemplary School Board. 

This is the first year for Hart County to earn Exemplary Status, which comes as a true honor not only for the school system, but for the community as a whole, said Jay Floyd, Superintendent of the Hart County Charter System.

“This recognition is an honor for our community,” Floyd said.

The recognition program is 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. 

The Hart County School Board of Education exceeded the criteria set by the GSBA to earn the honor of a 2019 Exemplary Board. This year, only 50 of the 180 public school boards in Georgia earned the Exemplary Board status.

The Hart County School Board is teamed by Chair Kim Pierce, Vice Chair Richard Sutherland, and members Matthew Honiotes, Dennis Dowell and Lonnie Robinson. It is the mission of Hart County schools and the board to prepare all students to meet tomorrow’s challenges by providing quality educational opportunities today, which is being acknowledged and recognized by the GSBA honor.

“This board has a great work ethic and they deeply care about our community,” Floyd said. “They have aligned our Charter Goals with our System Strategic Plan and the Budget Process. They have worked hard putting in extra training hours to support our students during the last three years.”

The GSBA Governance Team Recognition Program was developed by Georgia superintendents and board members based on the state board of education’s standards for effective governance to recognize exemplary leadership. In 1998, the Georgia School Boards Association was one of the first school board associations in the nation to develop a program of standards for local boards of education. The GSBA Board recognition program is a three-tiered program.  For more information on the program, the GSBA website for awards and recognition.  

Studies show that children who do not read or have access to books during the summer lose up to 2 months of reading performance. Those losses accumulate during the elementary school years so that by the time a child enters middle school he/she may be 2 ½  years behind! All children, whether from low, middle or upper income families, may fall victim to the “summer slide” if not provided with summer reading opportunities. So, how do we prevent the summer slide-or even accelerate reading growth? Join us for our Summer Reading Adventures! This is a YouTube channel that will provide an opportunity for students to hear stories being read to them throughout the summer. Each week, a new book will be uploaded with a special guest reader. Students will enjoy tuning in to find out who is reading and where they are! You can find the link at the Hart County Charter System website. Every book is an adventure just waiting to be discovered. Come join us as we explore this universe of stories! Are you ready?

On your mark, get set, let’s READ!!

You’re invited to the inaugural REACH Hart Prom! 

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24

Where: Southern Hart Brewing Company

Tickets: $25

What: This Harry Potter-themed event, featuring Big Teach band, is a fundraiser for the REACH Hart Community Education Foundation, a Hart County Schools non-profit scholarship organization. Attire is as formal as you wish! Heavy hors d'oeuvres will be provided with tickets, and a cash bar will be available. A silent auction will be open to attendees. 

For tickets, click here.

Tickets are also available for purchase at the Board of Education main office, at Southern Hart Brewing Company or at the Hart County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact Anna Hall, Foundation Director, at anna.hall@hart.k12.ga.us or 706-376-5141 x 71100. 

 Hart County Middle School will be closed for renovation this summer.

Offices will be temporarily relocated to the Hart Co. Agricultural Center at 1951 Bowman Hwy, Hartwell, GA 30643.

You may still contact the school at 706-376-5431.

Office hours will be from 8 a.m. to  2 p.m., with a break for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 All parents are invited to participate in the annual Title I Planning Week at Hartwell Elementary, North Hart Elementary, South Hart Elementary, and Hart County Middle School.

These schools throughout the system receive Title I funds. Parents will have the opportunity to provide input on the school’s Schoolwide Plan; Parent/Family Engagement Plan; and the School Compacts. Parent and Family Engagement activities and funds for these activities will be discussed, along with discussion of Building Capacity activities.

We need parents to join school staff members on the last 3 days of the Planning Week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Please call or email the school to inform the principal or assistant principal as to what day(s) you can attend. If you can’t stay all day, please join the school staff for whatever period of time that you are able to be with them. Your input and participation are important.

Planning Week is as follows: June 5 – 7 & June 10 – 11, 2019 (Parents attend June 7^th, 10^th, & 11^th)

In addition, please also note, the below dates are scheduled for the annual Meet the Teacher, Title I Meeting, & Curriculum Night for the 2019-2020 school year: 

 English Learners in grades K-5 and their parents are invited to attend ESOL Parent Night. The event will take place today, May 9, at 6:30 p.m in Hart County High School's Community Room. Parking is directly across from the Board of Education office, which is located on Campbell Drive. 

Students and parents will participate in math and literacy 'make-and-take' stations. Students will leave with books, summer activities, and popcorn. An interpreter will be present, and the event will last for approximately one hour. 

 Hart County Schools would like to thank all of our teachers for your commitment to the students and parents of Hart County. You will never fully understand the impact that you have made on so many families. We pause this week to thank you for your lifetime commitment. Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.

 Last week, both Hart County chapters of the Future Farmers of America attended the 91st Georgia FFA Convention in Macon, joining more than 5,560 attendees from across the state. The Junior Livestock Judging Team was recognized on stage, with a 3rd place state finish, and four Hart County College and Career Academy FFA members were recognized with prestigious FFA State Degrees.

In addition, both the middle and high school chapters were recognized as having 100 percent Membership for the 2018-2019 school year. 

ESOL Family Night: Blast Off Into Summer!

When: Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 6:30 pm

Where: Hart County High School Community Room

What: Come celebrate an awesome year with fun reading and math activities!

This is a Title III event.

ESOL Noche Familiar: Despegar en Verano!

Cuando: Jueves, Mayo 9, 2019 a las 6:30 pm

Donde: Hart County High School sala de la comunidad          

Que: Ven a celebrar un ano incredible con actividades divertidas de lectura y matematicas!

This is a Title III event.

 The Hart County Charter System is looking toward the community for input and feedback as to the comprehensive needs for our schools. Input is specifically needed for the school system’s 2019 - 2020 Comprehensive Needs Assessment and District Improvement Plan, and the Title I School-wide Improvement Plans and the 2019 - 2020 Hart County Charter System Parent/Family Engagement Plan.

Citizens of Hart County are invited to provide comment on the se plans and suggest any possible changes. The documents for both plans are the basis of how the school district will budget and spend federal funds to enhance the academic achievement of all students.

Parents and community members will review the 2018 – 2019 documents, providing input on changes, which may be considered for the upcoming school year. The plans will be available for review in the Professional Learning Room from 1- 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 and 10 a.m. to Noon on Wednesday, April 17.

The Professional Learning Room is located in the Board of Education Office, 284 Campbell Drive in Hartwell. Parents who review these documents will be encouraged to provide written feedback.  In addition, the documents are available for review on the Hart County Charter System’s website at www.hart.k12.ga.us. 

Comments are welcomed and can be emailed to jcarter@hart.k12.ga.us or lamar.scott@hart.k12.ga.us.

For more information, contact Jennifer Carter, Associate Superintendent, or Lamar Scott, Title I Director, by email or by phone at 706-376-5141.

Hart County Charter System officials invite citizens to give their input on the Hart County Charter System’s 2019 - 2020 Comprehensive Needs

Assessment and District Improvement Plan. These documents are the basis of how the school district will budget and spend federal funds to enhance the academic achievement of all students.

In addition, officials are seeking input for the 2019 - 2020 Title I Schoolwide Improvement Plans and the 2019 - 2020 Hart County Charter System Parent/Family Engagement Plan. Parents and community members will review the 2018 – 2019 documents, providing input on changes that should be considered for the coming school year. The plans will be available for review in the Professional Learning Room from 1:00 – 3:00 on Tuesday, April 16^th and 10:00 – 12:00 on Wednesday, April 17^th.

The Professional Learning Room is located in the Board of Education Office at 284 Campbell Drive in Hartwell. Parents who review these documents will be encouraged to provide written feedback.  In addition, the documents are available for review on the Hart County Charter System’s website at www.hart.k12.ga.us.  Comments are welcomed and can be emailed to jcarter@hart.k12.ga.us or lamar.scott@hart.k12.ga.us.

For more information, contact Jennifer Carter, Associate Superintendent, or Lamar Scott, Title I Director, by email or by phone at 706-376-5141.

 It is certainly a historic time for the Hart County Charter System, as both the Hart County High School Boy’s and Girl’s basketball teams will be heading to the state finals this Thursday in Macon, a result of the joint wins this weekend in Savannah during the Final Four play-offs.

In light of these remarkable win, Hart County Schools will have an early release day on Thursday. Students, teachers and administrators will be released at noon (12 p.m.) on Thursday so supporters can make the trip to Macon. Superintendent Jay Floyd met with the school’s executive committee and principals Monday morning and decided to accommodate supporters by letting schools out early this Thursday. However, schools will remain on schedule Friday, with students, teachers and administrators expected to be present as normal.

Hart County Schools Recognize Students Well-Being with Community Health Fairs

Two fire trucks were parked outside the front entrance to Hart County Middle School on Thursday morning, while the common area at Hart County High School was flooded with students Friday morning, and Hart County Sheriff’s Office vehicles was parked just outside.

It would be easy to question, is something amiss at these two schools this week? Actually, the opposite was true.

In collaboration with Communities in Schools and Hart Partners, Hart County schools hosted community health fairs at each school during the two days, one at the middle school and one at the high school. The mission of each event was to highlight for students the community resources available to them locally, to help them partake in healthy lifestyles, and stay fit- physically, emotionally and mentally. These are all aspects of education which can lead to more productive and proactive students.

According to repeated studies and research by the Center for Disease Control, healthy students are better learners and are more apt for academic achievement, while likewise have greater incentive to create a future lifestyle which reflects well-rounded, healthful habits throughout their adult lives.

 A variety of local partners were on display at each school, ranging from the non-profit MedLink corporation and St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, to advocates for the YMCA, Harmony House advocacy center, and Teen Textline crisis prevention service. In addition, representatives with emergency and protective services such as the local police and sheriff’s departments, EMTs, and U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers, were also on hand.

Stay in the know with all the happenings in Hart County schools by checking our Spotlight on Schools feature under the Community Relations tab! You can find it here. 

  More than two dozen local industries and businesses were represented on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the Hart County High School Career Day Expo, as part of the CTAE Month celebration. From the City of Hartwell and the Hartwell Telephone Company, to several branches of the military and more, the community showed up to show off to students possible local employment options once they finish high school and post-graduation options.

The career day expo is in conjunction with Georgia’s CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) month. Along with the career day, Hart County High School has also hosted a college day expo this week, and will bring in a financial wellness presentation, with host Dwayne Dye, on Friday. 

  Hart County High School students were exposed to a variety of post-secondary options Tuesday, as representatives and recruiters from colleges located throughout the state. From Brenau University to Georgia College and more, filled the Fine Arts Center to show students what they can look forward to after graduation.

The college day expo is in conjunction with Georgia’s CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) month. Along with the college event, Hart County High School will also host a career expo tomorrow, as well as a financial wellness presentation, with host Dwayne Dye, on Friday.

 SkillsUSA Region 2 Championships were held at North Georgia Tech in Clarkesville, Ga. on January 31, with students from Hart County High School taking an active part in the event.

These championships offer students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and be recognized for them through competitive activities in occupational areas and leadership. There were 33 school represented at this completions. Hart County entered in several of the 30 contest offered. We bought home

1^st place in T-Shirt Design  - Tesia Freeman, every member who attended received a t-shirt with Hart County winning design furnished by SkillsUSA,

1^st place  Architect Drafting - Harleigh Finley

1^st place Auto Finishing -  David Galvin

2^nd place Technical Drafting  - Carter Hunt

2^nd place Quiz Bowl Team –  Janasia Gaines, Storrie Langston, Andrew Carlson, Kayla Ethridge

3^rd place First Aid/CPR  - Avery Miller

First and Second place winner represent Hart County and North East Georgia at State Conference in March in Atlanta. Ethan Sellers will also be advancing in HVAC.

Other students who competed were Megan Crump in Job Interview, Taylor Steele in Cosmetology, Selina Gutierrez in Esthetics, Brenden Winburn in Electrical Construction Wiring, Jacob Coil in Carpentry, Ethan Stroud in Auto Service Technology, Karra Jordan Pin Design and Tahtiyana Maxwell in T-shirt design.

Hart County will have many more students who will be starting competing at state level. If you would like to help sponsor any of our wonderful students, just get in touch with any of the HCCS advisors.

Stay up to date with the latest media coverage of Hart County Schools in our Spotlight on Schools tab! 

Registration information for pre-kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school year is now available! Registration will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 26. All registration will be held at the Hart County Agriculture Center, 1951 Bowman Highway. For more information, please call 706-376-5141.

Pre-Kindergarten Registration FAQ:

Who can register?

• Any child who will be 4 years old on or before Sept.1, 2019
• Any child who is a resident of Georgia

If applicable, please bring:

• custodial papers or legal guardianship documentation
• child’s Medicaid card
• proof of food stamps, TANF, and/or SSI

Hart County Elementary Schools are pleased to announce registration for the 2019-2020 Pre-Kindergarten Program. Pre-K classes are located at Hartwell Elementary School, North Hart Elementary School, and South Hart Elementary School. Transportation will be provided when a student attends school within his/her attendance zone.

What do I bring to register?

• Proof of age –Original Birth Certificate
• Proof of Georgia residence (See examples below)
• Ga. Certificate of Immunization Form 3231
• Social Security Card for the CHILD

 Please note:

• 22 children registered on the Hartwell Elementary lottery list will be randomly selected to attend the Pre-K located at Hartwell Elementary.
• 44 children registered on the North Hart lottery list will be randomly selected to attend the Pre-K located at North Hart Elementary.
• 44 children registered on the South Hart lottery list will be randomly selected to attend the Pre-K located at South Hart Elementary.

Registration Information

Location: Hart County AgriscienceCenter, 1951 Bowman Hwy, Hartwell, Ga, 30643

Dates and Times: Monday, April 22, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday, April 26, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

An interpreter for Spanish speaking parents will be available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 22^nd and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m on April 26^th.

Examples of proofs of residence: Current (within 60 days) utility bill from Ga. Power, Hart EMC, or Hart Communications (land line only); property tax bill; deed or lease agreement (notarized when parents and student live in a home belonging to another); construction contract or non-contingent sales contract. 

For more information, please call (706) 376-5141. 

After 25 years in the classroom, Dannette Bowers-Davis has become a reputable part of the Hart County Charter System, making a positive impact on hundreds of high school students. It was with great pleasure today, Nov. 16, 2018, that School Superintendent Jay Floyd opened an envelope to reveal Bowers-Davis as the school system-wide Hart County Schools Teacher of the Year.

To be named as the system wide teacher of the year, nominees submitted video and went through an interview with three out-of-county panel judges. Bowers-Davis will now move on to the state level Teacher of the Year competition. The state winner will be revealed in the spring.

Having taught World History, Civics/Government and U.S. History at Hart County High School, Bowers-Davis has spent more than two decades educating Hartwell students. She is motivated daily by watching her students unveil the history behind their country, piecing apart the backbone of America and helping high school students connect the dots that make up the fabric of the nation.

“I love seeing students’ eyes when the lightbulb goes off when they understand the many concepts we have to cover,” she said. “U.S. History allows me to delve deep into the students’ minds and allow them to think critically.”

Known throughout the school system for her catch phrase, “Back that thang up,” Bowers-Davis is not only a character with a kind heart, she is a force field of energy, which ensures her students never leave her classroom without a passion for learning.

“Even though I have five years before I can retire, I still see myself in Room 207 saying, ‘back that thang up’,” she said. “This is a phrase I have used for years to explain to my students that they must provide evidence to prove their statements. Therefore, I see myself in education teaching the children of my former students.”

Bowers-Davis has been married to William Davis, deputy sheriff for Elbert County’s Sheriff’s Department, for 22 years, and has three children: Brandi Davis, Corey Davis and Paul Davis. As well as an excellent teacher, she is likewise an excellent coach, serving as assistant coach for the girl’s basketball team at Hart County High School.

Also nominated for Teacher of the Year were Kimberley Ayers, kindergarten teacher at South Hart Elementary School; Stacy Martin, special education teacher at North Hart Elementary School; Andrea Gibbs, a third grade teacher at Hartwell Elementary School; and Kelley Gaines, an engineering and video production teacher at Hart County Middle School.

The current ESPLOST V referendum will be presented to Hart County voters on the upcoming November 6 ballot. ESPLOST V is a continuation of the one-penny sales tax, which has been in place in Hart County for 20 years and supports the school system’s efforts to continually improve educational efforts within our county.

ESPLOST V projects will allow the Hart County Charter System to enhance student safety and security, replace outdated technology, prepare for growth, and maintain current facilities.

The facts and information about the ESPLOST V can be found on our website, at ESPLOST V, under the programs tab. We encourage you to learn more about ESPLOST V before you head to the polls on November 6. 

The Hart College and Career Academy and Athens Technical College would like to gauge interest in continuing education or personal enrichment courses for adults at the college and career academy. Please complete the survey below to share your thoughts.

http://bit.ly/HCCAContEdSurvey