Newton County Schools

🎉 Cheers to Oak Hill Elementary School! 🎉

We’re excited to recognize Oak Hill Elementary School for their impressive performance on the 2024 Georgia Milestones! 🌟

Oak Hill’s 4th graders made significant strides with:

📚 A 13 percentage point increase in the percentage of students reading at or above grade level!
📝 A 10 percentage point increase in 4th grade ELA (English Language Arts)!

These fantastic gains are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our teachers, staff, and students. Your commitment to learning is truly inspiring!

Let’s give a big round of applause to everyone at Oak Hill Elementary for these wonderful achievements! 👏👏

The Newton County Board of Education recognized one employee and multiple students at their August 13, 2024 Work Session Meeting.

Ms. Keisa Caslin was recognized for being named the Transportation Director of the Year for the Griffin RESA Area! The Director of the Year Award recognizes dedication, innovation, and a strong commitment to student safety.

In addition to Ms. Caslin, the Board recognized our NCS AP Scholars with Distinction. In order to qualify for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, students must earn an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of three or higher on five or more of these exams. Congratulations to these outstanding students!

We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Deatrice Willis, Indian Creek Middle School Teacher of the Year! 🌟

Dr. Willis teaches 8th Grade Social Studies and has been a dedicated member of the Newton County Schools family for five years. Her passion for teaching stems from a sincere desire to help students learn and grow.

What Dr. Willis loves most about teaching is the opportunity to get to know her students and build those essential relationships that create an environment where learning thrives. Thank you, Dr. Willis, for your commitment to our students and for making a lasting impact in the classroom! 👏📚

🎉 **Celebrating Porterdale Elementary’s Remarkable Achievements!** 🎉

We’re thrilled to highlight Porterdale Elementary School for their outstanding performance on the 2024 Georgia Milestones! 🌟

Porterdale’s progress is truly impressive with:

📚 A phenomenal 31 percentage point increase in the percentage of 5th graders reading at or above grade level!
📝 A 20 percentage point increase in 5th grade ELA (English Language Arts)!
🔬 A 21 percentage point increase in 5th grade science!

These exceptional gains reflect the dedication and hard work of our incredible teachers, staff, and students. Your commitment to excellence is truly making a difference!

Join us in applauding everyone at Porterdale Elementary for these amazing accomplishments! 👏👏

Members of the Newton County Board of Education gathered to celebrate our Class of 2024 Summer Graduates on Friday, August 16, at Porter Performing Arts Center. Natavia Smith of Eastside High School, Newton County, and Immanuel Jackson and Terrence Jackson of Newton High School walked across the stage to receive their much-deserved diplomas Friday morning. Congratulations to these outstanding summer graduates and best wishes on your future endeavors!

🎉 Congratulations to Live Oak Elementary Teacher of the Year, Ms. Quisha Tooles! 🎉

Ms. Tooles, who has been with Newton County Schools for 3 years, teaches Kindergarten with passion and dedication. Her journey into teaching started at a young age when she played "school" with neighborhood children, inspired by her own kindergarten and 4th-grade teachers, Mrs. Elmer and Mrs. Applegate.

Ms. Tooles believes in the transformative power of education and strives daily to instill a love for learning in every child she teaches. The "ah ha" moments when her students achieve academic success bring her the greatest joy. She loves making a significant impact by fostering a love of learning and helping her students develop confidence.

Thank you, Ms. Tooles, for your unwavering commitment to shaping young minds and making a difference in the lives of your students. We are so proud to have you as part of the Live Oak Elementary and Newton County Schools' family! 🌟📚

🎉 Hats off to Mansfield Elementary School! 🎉

We’re excited to spotlight Mansfield Elementary School for their exceptional achievements on the 2024 Georgia Milestones! 🌟

Mansfield’s students have made impressive gains with:

📝 A 13 percentage point increase in 4th grade ELA (English Language Arts)!
📝 A 17 percentage point increase in 5th grade ELA!

These remarkable results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, staff, and students. Your commitment to learning is truly paying off!

Let’s give a big cheer for everyone at Mansfield Elementary for this fantastic accomplishment! 👏👏

The Newton County Board of Education will hold their monthly meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM at our administrative building located at 2109 Newton Drive NE, Covington, Georgia. This meeting is open to the public.

Enjoy our second and final album of pictures from the big game Friday night between Eastside High School, Newton County and Newton High School!

Enjoy our first album of pictures from Friday night's big game: Eastside High School, Newton County vs. Newton High School at Sharp Stadium. This year, the Eagles topped the Rams by a final score of 26 to 15.

Stay tuned for Album #2!

🎉 Kudos to Heard-Mixon Elementary School! 🎉

We’re thrilled to celebrate Heard-Mixon Elementary for their phenomenal performance on the 2024 Georgia Milestones! 🌟

Their 5th graders achieved an incredible 28 percentage point increase in ELA (English Language Arts)! 📝✨

This success is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of their teachers, staff, and students. Your commitment to excellence is truly inspiring!

Let’s give a huge round of applause to everyone at Heard-Mixon Elementary for this outstanding accomplishment! 👏👏

Can't make it to the big game tonight?

All of Newton County Schools' regular season and post-season games are broadcast on the NFHS Network, the official digital network of the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).

https://nfhsnetwork.com

🎉 Let's celebrate Newton College & Career Academy Teacher of the Year, Ms. Taylor Moody!

Ms. Moody has spent her entire 5-year teaching career with Newton County Schools, dedicating her passion and energy to shaping the minds of 11th and 12th graders at NCCA. As a teacher of AP Language and Composition and Multicultural Literature and Composition, she believes deeply in the transformative power of education, especially through literacy.

Ms. Moody chose teaching because she wanted to show her students that reading and writing are gateways to endless opportunities and the foundation of critical thinking. But her aspirations went beyond academics; she strives to be a supportive and caring mentor who inspires students to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

What she loves most about teaching is witnessing her students grow, overcome challenges, and figure out their "why." For Ms. Moody, these moments reaffirm her own "why" and fuel her passion for education.

Thank you, Ms. Moody, for your dedication to our students and for being a beacon of inspiration at NCCA. We are so proud to have you as part of the Newton County Schools family! 📚✨

In an exciting development for local students, Newton County Schools (NCS) is pleased to announce that Oxford College of Emory University has waived the $75 application fee for all NCS students applying to the college.

Read our news article for more details: https://www.newtoncountyschools.org/departments/public_relations/news/oxford_college_partnership_to_waive_app_fees

🎉 Today, we're excited to celebrate Rocky Plains Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Ms. Shameka Howell!

Ms. Howell has been a dedicated member of the Newton County Schools family for 10 years, all of which she has spent inspiring young minds at Rocky Plains Elementary. As a 1st grade teacher, she is passionate about motivating and inspiring her students to reach their full potential.

What Ms. Howell loves most about teaching are those magical "light bulb" moments—when her students proudly exclaim, "I get it!" It's in these moments that Ms. Howell sees the impact of her hard work and dedication, as her students grow and achieve success in the classroom.

Thank you, Ms. Howell, for your incredible commitment to our students and for creating an environment where learning is exciting and rewarding. We’re proud to have you as part of the Rocky Plains Elementary School and Newton County Schools family! 🍎📚

FALL ATHLETIC EVENT SAFETY GUIDELINES:

We are excited to kick off the 2024 High School Football season this week! As we prepare to cheer on our athletes and enjoy the excitement of the games, we want to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

To prioritize the safety of our students, parents, community members, and athletes, we have introduced new safety guidelines for this season. These include a clear bag policy at all NCS home athletic events, including football games at Sharp Stadium.

Bag Policy Highlights:

- Clear Bags Only: Spectators will only be allowed to bring clear bags made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC. Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" are also permitted.

- No Large Bags: Bookbags, large purses, and other large bags will not be allowed into the stadium.

-Unaccompanied Students: Students under the age of fourteen must be accompanied by a supervising adult to enter the stadium. High school students cannot act as substitutes for adult supervision.

🎉 Celebrating Livingston Elementary School Breakthrough Results! 🎉

We're excited to shine a spotlight on Livingston Elementary School for their outstanding performance on the 2024 Georgia Milestones! 🌟

Third graders at Livingston made remarkable strides, achieving a 12 percentage point increase in students reading at or above grade level! 📚✨

This achievement reflects the incredible effort and dedication of our teachers, staff, and students. Your hard work is making a real difference!

Let's give a big cheer for everyone at Livingston Elementary for this amazing accomplishment! 👏👏

🎉 Today, we’re proud to honor Clements Middle School Teacher of the Year, Ms. Faith Parker!

Ms. Parker has been with Newton County Schools for 4 years, dedicating her time to teaching Band and General Music to 6th-8th graders at Clements Middle School. Her passion for education is deeply rooted in her family's legacy, with many of her relatives serving as educators. Ms. Parker chose to couple her love for music with her desire to inspire the next generation, aiming to be the change she wants to see in the world.

What Ms. Parker loves most about teaching is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with her students. As a band director, she becomes more than just a teacher; she’s a part of her students' support system—a key member of their "village." These connections, built on trust and mutual respect, allow her to influence their development not only as musicians but as individuals. Knowing she’s played a role in helping her students reach their potential is one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.

Thank you, Ms. Parker, for your dedication to our students and for being an inspiring and supportive force in their lives! We’re proud to have you as part of the Clements Middle School and Newton County Schools family! 🎶🎺

🌟 Congratulations, East Newton Elementary School! 🌟

We are thrilled to kick off our Breakthrough Results series by recognizing the incredible achievements of East Newton Elementary School on the 2024 Georgia Milestones! 🎉

East Newton's 5th graders have soared to new heights with:

📚 A 13 percentage point increase in students reading at or above grade level!
📝 A 27 percentage point increase in 5th grade ELA (English Language Arts)!
🔬 A 10 percentage point increase in 5th grade science!

These outstanding results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing teachers, staff, and, of course, our incredible students. Your commitment to excellence has truly paid off!

Let's give a huge round of applause to everyone at East Newton Elementary School for this remarkable achievement! 👏👏👏

🎉 Our Teacher of the Year celebration continues with a spotlight on Middle Ridge Elementary Teacher of the Year, Ms. Amethyst Fort!

Ms. Fort has just started her fourth year with Newton County Schools, teaching 1st grade at Middle Ridge Elementary. Her passion for education and dedication to her students shines through every day in the classroom. Inspired by her own fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Ellsperman, Ms. Fort is driven by the transformative power of knowledge and the impact teachers can have on students' lives.

What Ms. Fort loves most about teaching is building strong relationships with her students and watching them grow. There's nothing more rewarding to her than when former students come back just to say hello, showing the lasting bond she creates with them.

Thank you, Ms. Fort, for your commitment to making a difference in the lives of your students! We’re proud to have you as part of the Middle Ridge Elementary School and Newton County Schools family! 🍎📚

🎉 Continuing our celebration of our school-level Teachers of the Year, we’re proud to spotlight Livingston Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Ms. Mary Lynn Custer!

Ms. Custer has been making a difference in Newton County Schools since 2007. Before joining the Livingston team in 2020, she spent a decade at Oak Hill Elementary.

Ms. Custer has always wanted to be a teacher, driven by her love for learning and her desire to make a difference in the lives of students, parents, colleagues, and the community. What she loves most about teaching is witnessing those "aha moments"—when a student finally grasps a concept and experiences the joy of understanding. Whether it’s academic or behavioral, these lightbulb moments are what fuel her passion for education.

Thank you, Ms. Custer, for your dedication and for being a difference-maker in the lives of so many! We’re honored to have you as part of the Livingston Elementary School and Newton County Schools family! 🌟📖

The Newton County Board of Education will hold a work session meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM at the BOE building located on Newton Drive. This meeting is open to the public.

🎉 As we continue our series highlighting each of our school-level Teachers of the Year, we are thrilled to introduce Liberty Middle School Teacher of the Year, Ms. Miranda McNeal!

Ms. McNeal has been with Newton County Schools for 5 years, teaching 7th Grade Science and ELA at Liberty Middle School for the past 3 years, after starting her NCS journey at Fairview Elementary School.

Her passion for teaching stems from a deep desire to help students grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Ms. McNeal finds immense joy in seeing her students grasp new concepts and achieve their goals. What she loves most about teaching is the impact she has on her students' lives and the meaningful relationships she builds with them and their families.

Thank you, Ms. McNeal, for your dedication to our students and for making a lasting impact in the classroom and beyond! We are proud to have you as part of the Liberty Middle School and Newton County Schools family! 🍎📚

We are excited to launch our highlights of each of our school-level Teachers of the Year as we lead-up to the big announcement of the District Teacher of the Year later in September!

First, congratulations to Alcovy High School, Newton County Teacher of the Year, Mr. Brian Coates!

Mr. Coates has been with Newton County Schools for 7 years, dedicating his time and passion to teaching 9-12 Band at Alcovy. His love for music and his commitment to helping students improve their performance have been the driving forces behind his teaching journey.

But it’s not just about the music for Mr. Coates. What he loves most about teaching is the opportunity to shape students' character in a positive way, guiding them toward future success.

Thank you, Mr. Coates, for your dedication to our students and for making a lasting impact through your work. We’re so proud to have you as part of the Alcovy High School and Newton County Schools’ family!

We are excited to announce the Newton County Schools' 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year! https://www.newtoncountyschools.org/departments/public_relations/news/n_c_s_2024-2025_t_o_t_y_s

NCS Teachers Make a Difference Every Day! What an amazing reunion and story!

Newton County teacher reunited with childhood teacher who changed his life More than two decades later, the two met again at a training they both attended — as teachers. They were scheduled to be in other places that day but it so happened to be in the same room.

Data released by Georgia Department of Education: Newton County Schools showing strong signs of improvement!

Read our article here:
https://www.newtoncountyschools.org/departments/public_relations/news/2024_milestones_results

Track the Bus, Ease the Rush: Meet the Versatrans My Stop App!

Parents of Newton County Schools (NCS) students, we're excited to introduce the Versatrans My Stop app to make your school year smoother! With My Stop, you can track your child's school bus right from your smartphone. Instantly know the current location and projected arrival time of the bus, updated every five seconds.

Simply log in to the app to see if the bus is on the way or has already passed your child's assigned stop. This free app, provided by the NCS Pupil Transportation Department, is a game-changer for busy parents and guardians. (Please note, My Stop only tracks your student's scheduled bus route to and from school, not field trip buses.)

Download My Stop on any internet-accessible computer or mobile device, including iPads, iPhones, Tablets, or Android devices. Get ready for a seamless start to the new school year!

Download the app today and start the year off right! https://www.newtoncountyschools.org/departments/division_of_operations/transportation/my_stop_app